Show Thyself a Man - 1 Kings 2:2
03/29/2011 09:47
Our text today takes us to David's last days and his charge to Solomon, who is about to be king. I want to focus on the last phrase in verse two - "and show thyself a man". In order for Solomon to prosper as king, David charges him to "show thyself a man". It would certainly take a man and not a mouse to rule the kingdom. Many heathen leaders of that day, while manly, according to human standards, were many times pliable in the hands of wicked counselors. A real man is more than just the toughest guy in the room. In reality, a real man or woman is one that loves the Lord and follows Him, even if that direction goes against the human standards set up by man. In our world today, we need men and women to show themselves to be the real thing from God's perspective.
The first thing that we learn from this text is that real manhood is shown not spoken. A real man or woman will show their genuineness rather than just talking about it. We experience a lot of hot air from people without seeing the evidence. Many a people talk a good game but rarely back it up. In our age, we need men and women to be the real deal from God's perspective. How can we accomplish this? How can we show ourselves to be real men and women? The first thing that we must have is purpose. We must purpose to be all that we can be for the glory of God. We need to stop using the phrase "I'll try". This phrase many times is a back door of escape from doing what is expected of us. Rather than trying, we must purpose.
We must also be people of our word. If we say that we are going to do something, we should do it. A real man or woman can be counted on only if their word can be trusted. The pretenders of real manhood will be quick to promise but not deliver. Real men and women will not fear to step out and live godly in an ungodly world. They will stand as a shining light of righteousness in the midst of lost people who will mock at our living. Real men and women will forsake popularity with the world so that they can be found pleasing in the sight of God. Pretenders will follow the mob wherever it leads them. Real men and women will swim upstream against the current to arrive at a place of blessing that the pretenders will never know. If we want to show ourselves to be real men and women we must also lead by example. We must be willing to serve in areas that not only lie dormant in most churches but may even be found creeping in to our comfort zones. A real man or woman will seek to serve where others shirk. They will seek to lead where others have left. They will be found dismantling their comfort zones where others still have a sign set up that reads "under construction". A real man will teach a Sunday School class even when he is not sure if he can. A real man will drive a van or bus even if he thinks his nerves couldn't handle it. A real man will volunteer for soul-winning even if he thinks he'll freeze at the first door. A real man or woman leads and serves first and asks questions later. A real man thinks more of the task at hand rather than the consequences that he "might" face later.
If we want to be real men and women for the glory of God we must deal with our comfort zones. These comfort zones will always be found convincing us, that there are some things that we can't do. They will try to convince you that there are certain areas of service that you simply can't pursue. Unless that area of service is off-limits because of God's Word, then those areas are accessible if we blow up our comfort zones. A real man or woman cannot co-exist with comfort zones. The time has come for all Christians to end our relationship and partnership with our comfort zones. Deliver an eviction notice to your comfort zones today. Rent that space out permanently to the wonderful partnership known as "purpose and dedication". Send your comfort zones packing, they will be a lead weight around your heart and soul that will keep you from David's charge - "Show thyself a man".
Striving for the Saviour,
Pastor George Yurick